True Story
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Now having settled in Westhoughton after years of ministry "down South", Pat with her husband Terry has returned to her roots in Westhoughton. Now she and Terry are serving God here with puppets.
Here, in her own words Pat explains how a Wingates girl's life was changed for ever.........
I was born and bred in Wingates. My brother and I were taken along to Wingates Independent Methodist Chapel as youngsters. I became quite involved within the church, taking an active part in the services whenever asked and was put in charge of a small Sunday School class. I was far from perfect but always hoped my bad deeds would be outweighed by my good ones and that when I died, hoped that because of this God would grant me a place in His Heaven.
A preacher came and spoke about a shepherd who lost one of his 100 sheep. He explained how we are like lost sheep and Jesus the good shepherd is looking for us. That day I decided I wanted to be in the good shepherd’s fold and so I declared that I would follow Jesus. Nothing changed in my life and I continued as before doing my own thing and I forgot all about the decision I had made. But God didn't forget about me.
As I got a little older I got involved in social activities outside the church. I made new friends, none of whom went to church. I left my family home to become an unqualified nursery nurse. This gave me more freedom and I went from job to job but couldn't find satisfaction in any. Then I decided to become a nurse and went away to train.
God had really planned ahead for me because I was surrounded by born again Christians whose aim in life seemed to be to get me to be the same. As far as I was concerned, I was as good as they were. However the more I got to know them, the more I saw the differences in their Christianity and ' Mine '. They talked about Jesus as if they actually knew Him rather than just knowing about Him! I soon realised my need and decided to join them in their brand of Christianity. I tried really hard to succeed but I wasn't ready to give up what I had enjoyed in the world. It wasn't too long before both feet were firmly planted in the world and I forgot all the joys of being a Christian, but God kept his hand on my life and one day, he mercifully drew me to himself and I was baptised.
Having tried the world and all it's pleasures, I can say that they are nothing compared to what Jesus offers. I don't hope any more for a place in Heaven when I die........I know that's where I am heading.
